title: Efficacy of fixed low dose hydroxyurea in Indian children with sickle cell anemia: a single centre experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data on the efficacy of hydroxyurea (HU) in Indian children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is limited. Hence, we have evaluated the efficacy of fixed low dose HU in Indian children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study cohort consisted of 144 children (<18 years of age) with SCA having severe manifestations (≥ 3 episodes of vasocclusive crisis or blood transfusions, or having ≥ 1 episode of acute chest syndrome or cerebrovascular stroke or sequestration crisis) who were started on fixed low dose HU (10 mg/kg/day). They were followed up for two years and monitored for the hematological and clinical efficacy and safety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant increase in the fetal hemoglobin level (HbF%), total hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume. Vasoocclusive crises, blood transfusions, acute chest syndrome, sequestration crises and hospitalizations decreased significantly. Baseline HbF% had significant positive correlation with HbF% at 24 months. There was significant negative correlation between baseline HbF% and change in HbF% from baseline to 24 months. No significant correlation was found between HbF% at baseline and clinical event rates per year after HU. No major adverse events occurred during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fixed low dose HU is effective and safe in Indian children with SCA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Nagpur; and * National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India. Correspondence to: Dr Dipti Jain,Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Governement Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440 003, India. drvijayasarathi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dipti L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Mohini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Apte
authors.forename: Roshan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colah
authors.forename: Vijaya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sarathi
authors.forename: Saumil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Amruta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gokhale
authors.forename: Amol
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhandarwar
authors.forename: Harshwardhan L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Kanjaksha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghosh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000986:Antisickling Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007194:India; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000986:Antisickling Agents; D006918:Hydroxyurea